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00:00Juliette Sommers walked out of the detention centre and went straight home.
00:06The first thing she did was hand Emerson Hensley the divorce papers.
00:11Emerson, I want a divorce.
00:13She said,
00:14Since we lost the baby's no-custody battle to worry about,
00:17the lawyers can handle dividing the assets.
00:19I'm not asking for anything more than what's mine.
00:21After signing the papers and waiting for the finalisation, we are done.
00:25Juliette's eyes were hollow, her voice flat and emotionless as she spoke.
00:30The moment Juliette finished, Emerson didn't even bother responding.
00:34He shot her a quick, dismissive glance and scrawled his signature on the papers.
00:39Just then, Lillian calls.
00:41Your stomach's still hurting? Hang on. I'll be right down to get you.
00:46Okay, okay, I won't hang up. I'm here with you.
00:49Emerson murmured soothingly.
00:51After signing, he grabbed his coat and rushed out.
00:53Right before leaving, he finally glanced at Juliette, barely sparing her a look.
00:59You're fresh out of holding. Go clean yourself up.
01:05From now on, leave the contracts and the study.
01:07Don't bother bringing them one by one. It's a household.
01:11Oh, and Lillian's back.
01:12I'm heading downstairs to get her now.
01:14She'll be staying with us, same as before.
01:16I don't want anything like that poisoning accident happening again.
01:19Understood?
01:24Even after Emerson walked out, Juliette stared at the divorce papers, lost in thought and almost amused by the sheer
01:31absurdity of it all.
01:33Five years of marriage and Emerson couldn't even be bothered to notice it was ending.
01:37He was more worried about warning her not to hurt the other woman.
01:41Juliette figured there was no point in dwelling on it.
01:44The ending wouldn't change, and he never cared anyway.
01:48She tucked the papers away and dialed a number.
01:53Mrs. Summers, have you made your decision?
01:56Mr. Owens, I accept your offer.
01:59The acquisition of my apothecary's formulas and my joining your company.
02:03But I'll need a few days.
02:05There are some personal matters I need to wrap up.
02:07Just then, Emerson walked in, carrying Lillian in his arms.
02:10He shot Juliette a glance.
02:12Why are you still up? Your little apothecary keeping you that busy?
02:15The sickly, sweet scent of perfume flooded the room, and Juliette's nose wrinkled in disgust.
02:22Yeah. Busy.
02:26But Lillian, who'd been watching her like a hawk since she walked in, suddenly spoke up.
02:32Juliette, are you still mad at me?
02:34Lillian lifted her eyes, aiming that practiced, pitiful look straight at her.
02:40I never meant to accuse you of poisoning me last time.
02:43It was Emerson. He got so worried, he completely twisted my words.
02:48By the time I came to my senses, you were already locked up.
02:51I'm so, so sorry.
02:54Can you forgive me?
02:55She gestured toward a maid carrying a bag full of salt.
02:58I asked them to set this up for you.
03:00Throwing salt on you will wash away all the bad luck.
03:04Can we still be like friends?
03:05Let's try to get along from now on, okay?
03:08Lillian reached for Juliette's hand, motioning for the maid to bring the salt closer.
03:13Juliette stared at the salt.
03:15She pulled her hand back sharply and shook her head.
03:18No thanks. I'll pass.
03:19I'm not feeling well. I'm going to bed.
03:23Lillian's face crumpled.
03:25Wow, Juliette.
03:26You really can't stand me, can you?
03:28I had all this specially prepared for you.
03:31Juliette didn't have the energy left to play along.
03:33She started walking away, but Emerson caught her arm.
03:39Seriously, Juliana, do you always have to kill the mood?
03:42You poisoned Lillian out of jealousy.
03:44I'm the one who had you arrested.
03:46If you've got a problem with anyone, take it out on me, not her.
03:49She's only trying to help you get rid of the bad luck.
03:51Why are you Icies her out?
03:53Apologize to Lillian.
03:55Now.
03:57She closed her eyes.
03:59I'm not apologizing.
04:01And if I'm such a buzzkill, I'll move out as soon as I can.
04:05For a second, Emerson looked caught off guard.
04:07Then his face darkened with rage.
04:10He clenched his jaw and snapped.
04:13You just never learn.
04:15Just then, it started pouring.
04:18Then dragged her outside into the yard.
04:21Ignoring the pouring rain, he shoved her out.
04:25Cool off out here!
04:28Don't come back until you've actually thought things through!
04:31If you can't figure it out, then don't bother coming back at all!
04:35Face flushed with anger.
04:36He spun around and locked the gate behind her.
04:42Julieta was wearing only a thin nightgown when she was shoved out into the yard.
04:47The downpour instantly soaked her to the bone.
04:51Shivering uncontrollably, she pounded on the gate.
04:55Emerson, please open the gate!
04:57Let me get inside!
04:58But Lillian clutched her stomach and said something Julieta couldn't hear.
05:02Emerson scooped her up and carried her upstairs without a second glance.
05:05For two hours, Julieta kept pounding on the door until her palms were raw and her voice was hoarse.
05:12But no one paid her any attention.
05:15Finally, Julieta gave up struggling.
05:17She curled up in the corner, drained and powerless.
05:21With what little strength she had left,
05:24Julieta desperately pulled off the ill-fitting wedding ring and flung it into the muddy ground.
05:29As her consciousness faded, Julieta's mind drifted back to a long time ago.
05:33The Summers family had been doctors for generations.
05:37Her parents had once saved Emerson's father's life.
05:40After her parents passed away,
05:42Julieta took over the family apothecary and became the Hensley family's doctor.
05:47From the very first moment she saw Emerson,
05:50Julieta had fallen for him.
05:53But back then, Emerson was already with Lillian.
05:57They were childhood sweethearts,
05:59first loves and completely devoted to each other.
06:03Julieta had always had a secret crush on Emerson,
06:07never expecting anything in return.
06:09But in the fifth year of their relationship,
06:12after Emerson successfully proposed and they were preparing for the wedding,
06:16Lillian disappeared overseas without a trace.
06:19Emerson was left in shambles, unable to find her,
06:23no matter how hard he tried.
06:25As his family doctor,
06:27Julieta would drop by every now and then
06:29to treat his cuts, bruises, stomachaches and headaches.
06:33Finally, one day,
06:35Emerson asked her if she had feelings for him.
06:38Do you have feelings for me, Julieta?
06:45I want us to give each other a chance.
06:49Four years of secret longing,
06:52three years of dating and five years of marriage.
06:54Julieta poured 12 years of her life into this.
06:57It was only then that Emerson finally started to notice her allergies,
07:02remembered she was deaf in her left ear
07:04and realised her legs would ache whenever it rained.
07:10Only then did he begin to cancel all his work,
07:13staying by her side without even changing out of his clothes.
07:17Whenever she was sick,
07:18he even learned how to massage her legs
07:21just so he could help her sleep better every time it rained.
07:24and she could see the love in his eyes grow deeper
07:27day by day as he cared for her more and more.
07:30She watched as Lillian gradually faded from his life
07:34as she became the only one in his eyes
07:36and as their little family was about to welcome a new member.
07:40But just as their happiness was within reach,
07:42Lillian came back.
07:44By then, Julieta had gone through six rounds of IVF treatments
07:48and finally managed to get pregnant after all that hardship.
07:51But on her way to see Emerson,
07:54a speeding sports car came out of nowhere and hit her,
07:57throwing her into the guardrail.
07:59She miscarried on the spot,
08:01her life hanging by a thread.
08:03On the way to the hospital,
08:05Julieta mustered the last of her strength
08:07to beg the nurse to call Emerson,
08:09hoping he'd come to see the baby she'd fought for
08:12over four years,
08:14even if it was for a final goodbye.
08:17But dozens of calls and hundreds of messages
08:20disappeared into the void.
08:21Never answered.
08:25After five hours in the operating room,
08:28the doctors managed to pull Julieta back from the jaws of death.
08:32But they had to perform a total hysterectomy.
08:36She would never be able to have children again.
08:40When she finally woke up from the anesthesia,
08:43Julieta was emotionally shattered.
08:45In her desperation,
08:46she tried reaching out to Emerson again,
08:49hoping he'd show up for her.
08:51But every time she called,
08:53his phone went straight to voicemail,
08:55no matter what she did.
08:56She couldn't get through to him.
08:58Julieta kept telling herself,
09:00there had to be a reason.
09:01Maybe,
09:02Emerson was swamped with work.
09:04Maybe he was traveling.
09:05Maybe he was sick.
09:07But then a friend told her the truth.
09:10He was at the hospital,
09:12taking care of his first love.
09:14Lillian had caught a cold,
09:15and he didn't want anyone disturbing her while she rested.
09:18So he turned off his phone,
09:20and devoted himself completely to her.
09:22Julieta couldn't recall how she reacted.
09:25Her right ear,
09:26the only one she could still hear with,
09:28was filled with nothing but a sharp,
09:31relentless ringing.
09:32She spent two weeks in the hospital,
09:34but Emerson never visited.
09:36Not a single call was returned.
09:41When Julieta finally came home,
09:43the first thing she saw was Emerson at their bedside,
09:47feeding medicine to Lillian,
09:49who lay in their bed.
09:50No explanation,
09:52no response.
09:53When Emerson turned to face her,
09:55the tenderness in his eyes disappeared instantly.
09:59In that moment,
10:00Julieta realized the seven-year relationship
10:03she had forced together was over.
10:05But before Julieta could even make up her mind to leave him,
10:09Lillian suddenly claimed her stomach hurt.
10:11You poisoned her out of jealousy, didn't you?
10:14I never put anything harmful in the soup.
10:17Accused Julieta of poisoning Lillian,
10:19and sent her straight to jail.
10:21I want a divorce!
10:22I didn't poison anyone!
10:24Get yourself together and pay for your mistake.
10:26Lillian had her stomach pumped,
10:28and was officially deemed to have suffered only a minor injury.
10:33Julieta had miscarried,
10:34and hadn't even finished her post-miscarriage recovery
10:37before she was detained for 15 days.
10:41Julieta finally understood
10:42that what was not hers
10:44could never be hers.
10:46Letting go was the only thing she could do now.
10:50The icy rain pelted Julieta mercilessly,
10:54but her whole body burned with fever,
10:56making it impossible for her to even open her eyes.
10:59Just when she thought she was about to die,
11:03Emerson's voice suddenly cut through the storm.
11:07Julieta!
11:08With a fever of 104 degrees Fahrenheit,
11:12Julieta was rushed to the hospital.
11:14Groggily waking up in the middle of the night,
11:17Julieta saw Emerson,
11:18sitting by her bedside,
11:20gently massaging her legs,
11:22his eyes full of guilt and remorse.
11:26By the time she was fully awake,
11:28two days had already passed.
11:30When Emerson saw her open her eyes,
11:32he rushed to get the doctor.
11:35After making sure she was out of danger,
11:37he finally let out a long breath.
11:41Your fever's gone.
11:42Is there any part that still hurts?
11:43I know I messed up a couple of days ago.
11:45I wanted you to take some time to reflect.
11:47I never meant to keep you locked up for so long.
11:49Even when Lillian suddenly said she wasn't feeling well...
11:51You don't have to explain.
11:52It doesn't matter to me.
11:53Julieta interrupted him,
11:55her voice raspy.
11:56I'm okay now.
11:57If you have things to do,
11:59you can leave.
12:00Emerson was caught off guard.
12:02Julieta used to whine and seek his attention
12:04over the tiniest aches and pains.
12:07But now, after nearly ending up in the ICU,
12:10she stayed silent.
12:12This was what he'd always wanted,
12:15but now that she'd really become like this,
12:18she felt an unexpected ache in his heart.
12:21He was about to say
12:23he wasn't busy when his phone rang again.
12:25He glanced at the screen and thought it was Lillian,
12:28so he hurriedly answered.
12:29As soon as Emerson left,
12:31the nurse came in and,
12:33seeing how pale Julieta was,
12:35gave her a piece of her mind.
12:37You really don't care about yourself,
12:39do you?
12:39You had a miscarriage less than a month ago,
12:42didn't even take any time to rest,
12:43and now you've been out in the rain
12:44and burning up with a fieve.
12:45If they hadn't got you fast,
12:47you might not have made it.
12:48That car accident and miscarriage
12:49left some serious damage to your body.
12:51The nurse said as the door opened again,
12:54What serious damage?
12:55Julieta, are you feeling any discomfort?
12:57Should I arrange a full examination for you?
12:59No need.
13:00Once the drip is finished,
13:01I can be discharged.
13:02This time, Emerson didn't leave.
13:05He stayed with Julieta
13:06through the entire IV drip,
13:09only heading back together once it was done.
13:11Once Julieta got home,
13:13she headed straight upstairs to rest.
13:15She hadn't been asleep for long
13:17before the sound of hushed voices
13:19and people rummaging through things woke her up.
13:21Emerson is really important to me.
13:23I have to find it.
13:24Lillian said, her voice trembling.
13:27I'm not saying Julieta took it.
13:29It's just that the ring was your proposal gift to me
13:31and she's still hung up on what happened between us.
13:34Lillian continued softly.
13:35Before she even finished speaking,
13:37Lillian suddenly burst into tears,
13:39each drop rolling down her cheeks,
13:41making her look so pitiful and helpless.
13:44Emerson couldn't help but feel moved
13:46and kept searching.
13:47Emerson didn't flinch when Julieta woke up.
13:50He said,
13:50If you didn't take it,
13:52there's nothing to worry about.
13:53Lillian rummaged through the closet,
13:54the nightstand,
13:55and even looked under the bed.
13:56And finally,
13:58she was about to search Julieta's bed too.
14:00With a furrowed brow,
14:02Julieta swatted Lillian's hand aside.
14:04It was barely a touch,
14:05but Lillian,
14:06letting out a shriek and toppling backward,
14:08Julieta,
14:09if you didn't steal anything,
14:10what are you so afraid of?
14:11Wasn't poisoning me enough for you?
14:12Now you're gonna hit her right in front of me?
14:14Emerson pushed hard,
14:15and Julieta had no defense.
14:17She was slammed into the cabinet,
14:19and the photo she'd treasured
14:21for five years by her bedside,
14:22fell with it,
14:24scattered,
14:24glass splintering everywhere.
14:26Julieta stared at her hands,
14:28blood dripping from her palms,
14:30her face frozen in shock.
14:32Emerson's words echoed in her head,
14:34each one twisting like a knife in her chest.
14:37He bent down to help her up,
14:39but Julieta was faster.
14:41Ignoring the shards digging into her skin,
14:43she scooped up the broken photo
14:44and dropped it straight into the trash.
14:47Julieta,
14:47what the hell are you doing?
14:48You can't throw a fit like this.
14:50That photo meant everything to you.
14:52Why would you toss it?
14:53He reached into the trash,
14:55brushed off the glass and dust,
14:59God, you're so dramatic,
15:01and set the photo back on the nightstand.
15:03He opened his mouth to say more,
15:05but Julieta stared at him
15:07with that hollow, indifferent look,
15:09not even flinching at the blood
15:11seeping through her fingers.
15:13For some reason,
15:14it made his chest tighten.
15:16A knock at the door broke the silence.
15:18The maid said she'd found a few pieces of jewelry
15:22scattered in the yard.
15:23She wasn't sure if they belonged to Lillian.
15:26Emerson and Lillian exchanged a look,
15:28both visibly uncomfortable.
15:32Julieta swallowed the bitterness rising in her throat,
15:35her voice barely a whisper.
15:37Is that enough, Emerson?
15:39After they finally left,
15:41Julieta barely had a moment to breathe
15:42before her phone rang.
15:44She wiped her bloody hands on her shirt
15:46and answered.
15:48Miss Summers,
15:49since your sixth IVF attempt was unsuccessful,
15:52would you like to schedule a seventh?
15:53Your last round ended in miscarriage,
15:55which took a serious toll on your uterus.
15:58Future attempts will be more difficult.
16:00If you're considering trying again,
16:02you'll need to be mentally prepared.
16:04No more rounds.
16:05I'll settle what I owe,
16:07and please don't contact my husband about this.
16:09She hung up,
16:10and didn't even notice Emerson
16:12had slipped back into the room until he spoke.
16:15What do you mean, don't contact me?
16:16He grabbed the first aid kit
16:18and was already reaching for her hand,
16:20starting to clean the cuts.
16:21Is something going on at the apothetary?
16:24Money problems?
16:25If you need anything, tell me.
16:27I'm not going to let you struggle.
16:29Before she could answer,
16:30he stopped mid-motion.
16:32Where's your wedding ring?
16:33He'd felt like something was off lately,
16:35and only now, bandaging her hand,
16:38did he realize it was gone.
16:39She never took it off.
16:41Not once, since their wedding day.
16:43He didn't know why she took it off now,
16:46without a word.
16:47Julieta thought of that ring
16:48buried somewhere in the muddy yard,
16:50and her eyes turned bitter.
16:52Lost it.
16:53It never fit right anyway.
16:55It was only a matter of time.
16:57Doesn't matter anymore.
17:00Emerson's jaw tightened.
17:02If even the wedding ring didn't matter,
17:04he didn't know what did.
17:06He started to say something,
17:07but when she tried to pull away,
17:09he held on.
17:10Don't move.
17:11Let me take care of your wound.
17:12He cleaned the cuts carefully,
17:14and when she winced,
17:15his touch softened.
17:17He even blew gently on the cuts
17:19as he wrapped the bandage.
17:21The concern in his eyes looked real.
17:24A year ago,
17:25Julieta might have mistaken it for love,
17:27but she was done fooling herself.
17:30She looked away,
17:31pulled her hand back
17:32once he finished and muttered,
17:35I'm tired.
17:36Then she turned her back to him
17:38and went to bed,
17:39shutting him out completely.
17:41Early the next morning,
17:43Julieta stopped by her apothecary.
17:45When she got home,
17:47the sharp sound of breaking glass
17:49stopped her cold.
17:50She looked out,
17:51and through the window,
17:53saw a swarm of workers
17:54inside her apothecary,
17:56smashing jars and dumping bottles,
17:59while Lillian barked orders.
18:01Empty every single one.
18:03Once you're done,
18:04haul it all out
18:05and burn that pile over there.
18:08Take everything.
18:09Don't leave a thing.
18:10Julieta's heart dropped.
18:12Her dried herbs
18:13were scattered across the floor.
18:14Her collection of glass jars
18:16lay in pieces,
18:17and every medicine powder
18:19she'd carefully mixed
18:20had been dumped out.
18:21Nothing remained.
18:22Rage surged through her,
18:24making her whole body tremble.
18:26Stop right now!
18:27Julieta's voice
18:28cut through the chaos,
18:30cold and sharp.
18:32Lillian,
18:33who said you could touch my things?
18:36I told you how important
18:38this shop is to me.
18:39Who do you think you are?
18:41The workers glanced between them.
18:43Unsure,
18:45but ultimately kept at it,
18:46ignoring her.
18:48Lillian smiled,
18:49all smug innocence,
18:51like she genuinely
18:52couldn't see the problem.
18:54Julieta,
18:55don't get upset.
18:56I had a stomach ache last night,
18:59and Emerson was worried
19:00you might try to
19:01poison me again.
19:02So he told them
19:03to clear everything out.
19:04It's really not a big deal.
19:06Emerson said
19:07he'll support you anyway,
19:08so whether you're a doctor
19:09or keep your apatarian open
19:11doesn't make a difference.
19:12Julieta went pale.
19:14Only she and Emerson
19:15had keys to the apothecary.
19:17Lillian could waltz in
19:19and destroy everything
19:20because Emerson
19:20had given her permission.
19:22He knew exactly
19:23how much this meant
19:25to Julieta.
19:26And he'd looked the other way
19:28while Lillian
19:28trampled and livery.
19:30In his heart,
19:31Julieta meant nothing.
19:34Julieta was still pale
19:35and reeling
19:36when the acrid smell
19:37of smoke hit her.
19:38She spun around
19:40and saw a heap of
19:41pinkers and clothes
19:42smoldering in the yard.
19:44Little outfits
19:45she'd bought for the baby
19:46that never came.
19:48Every IVF record,
19:50every pregnancy test,
19:51every shred of hope,
19:52all of it curling into ash.
19:54Lillian smiled sweetly.
19:57Julieta,
19:57I'm trying to help.
20:00You've been through
20:01six rounds of IVF
20:02and still have no baby.
20:04Holding on to all of this
20:06is only making it worse.
20:08Emerson told me
20:09it's post-traumatic stress.
20:12You need to let go
20:13and stop forcing things.
20:15Why not clear it all out?
20:17Out of sight,
20:18out of mind.
20:18The words hit Julieta
20:20like a slap.
20:21Emerson had told her
20:23everything.
20:24That trauma went back
20:25to her child.
20:26She nearly bled out
20:26on the operating table.
20:28It was the shadow
20:29that had followed her
20:30for years
20:31and she trusted
20:33Emerson with it.
20:34Only him.
20:35He'd promised
20:36to keep it safe.
20:38Promised nothing
20:39would ever hurt her again.
20:41He'd lied.
20:42The strength
20:43drained out of her.
20:45Even standing
20:46felt impossible.
20:47She turned to leave.
20:49and there he was.
20:51Emerson stood
20:52frozen in the doorway
20:53still holding the cake
20:54he'd brought for Lillian.
20:56He'd heard everything.
20:58Guilt flickered
20:59across his face
20:59but he didn't
21:01stop Lillian.
21:01Didn't defend
21:03Julieta.
21:04Didn't say a word.
21:05She expected
21:06to feel rage.
21:08Instead all she felt
21:08was a hollow
21:09mocking numbness.
21:11Julieta.
21:12Lillian's right.
21:13Lillian's right.
21:14Better to clear it all out.
21:15I'm fine.
21:17There's nothing
21:17to talk about.
21:18Back in her room
21:19she didn't waste a second.
21:21She called George Owens.
21:22He picked up immediately.
21:25Mr. Owens
21:26when can we sign?
21:27Sooner is better.
21:28I'm ready whenever you are.
21:30Mrs. Summers
21:30the contract is ready.
21:32Come by tomorrow at two.
21:33Does that work?
21:34She forced herself
21:35to sound steady.
21:36I'll be there.
21:40Julieta
21:40where are you going?
21:42Apothetary stuff.
21:43Her flat tone
21:44clearly bothered him
21:45but he knew
21:46he'd screwed up
21:47so he tried
21:48to smooth things over
21:49awkwardly changing
21:51the subject.
21:52You said you lost
21:53your wedding ring.
21:54Had this custom
21:55made for you.
21:55Try it on.
21:57He reached for her hand
21:58but she barely glanced
21:59at the diamond
22:00before pulling away.
22:02Just leave it.
22:03It won't fit.
22:04How do you know?
22:05You haven't even tried it.
22:06It was made for you.
22:08If it doesn't fit
22:09I'll have it fixed.
22:10His jaw tightened.
22:11Or is there something else
22:12going on?
22:13Julieta carefully
22:14packed away
22:15the last of her herbs.
22:16You're reading too much
22:17into it.
22:18I work with herbs
22:19every day.
22:19A ring gets in the way.
22:21Leave it aside.
22:22It doesn't matter.
22:23Emerson couldn't understand
22:24why it didn't matter anymore
22:25and why she could do
22:27everything.
22:28Lillian's voice
22:29floated in from the living room
22:30reminding him
22:31about the art show.
22:32He swallowed his frustration.
22:36Lillian's exhibition
22:36opens tonight.
22:37She can't manage alone
22:38so I'm going to help.
22:39I'll be back late.
22:41If you're tired
22:42go to bed
22:42don't wait up.
22:43He grabbed his coat
22:43and was gone.
22:44Once the door
22:45clicked shut
22:46Julieta calmly
22:47started packing.
22:49There was nothing
22:50left worth keeping here.
22:52Just her clothes
22:53and her herbs.
22:54Everything else
22:55could stay.
22:57But packing
22:57was harder
22:58than she'd thought.
22:59Five years of marriage
23:01meant their lives
23:01were tangled
23:02together in every corner.
23:04After the wedding
23:05she'd filled this house
23:07with warm cozy things
23:09matching mugs
23:10paired towels
23:11side by side pillows.
23:13She didn't want
23:14any of it
23:15so she packed it all up
23:16sealed the boxes
23:17and tucked them away
23:18in the storage room.
23:20After dragging
23:21the last box of clutter
23:22into the storage
23:23Julieta's eyes
23:25landed on the wedding photo
23:27hanging in the living room.
23:29She'd been the one
23:30who insisted
23:30on taking it.
23:32Emerson had been
23:33swamped with work
23:34back then
23:35and she'd had to
23:36beg him for weeks
23:37to get him to agree.
23:39Once the framed photo
23:41arrived
23:41she treated it
23:42like a treasure.
23:44She hung it
23:45in the most prominent
23:46spot in the living room
23:47and dusted it
23:48every single day
23:50terrified
23:50that even a speck
23:53might settle on it.
23:54She stared at her own
23:56happy smiling face
23:57in the photo
23:58for a long moment.
23:59Then she reached up
24:00and took it down.
24:01She was sliding it
24:03into a box
24:03when a commotion
24:04erupted at the front door.
24:06She turned
24:07and found herself
24:08trapped
24:09in Emerson's
24:10stormy glare.
24:11Julieta what are you doing
24:12taking down
24:12the wedding photo?
24:13You've already
24:14cleared out
24:15half the house
24:15what the hell
24:16is going on?
24:17She shrugged
24:17brushing off
24:18his irritation.
24:19You said being in prison
24:20brings bad luck
24:21right?
24:22I'm swapping things out
24:24getting rid of
24:25the bad Jiju.
24:26If you think
24:27the place looks
24:27too empty
24:28feel free to fill it up
24:30with things you and Lillian like.
24:31She sidestepped him
24:32and dragged the box
24:34toward the storage room
24:35without looking back.
24:37Emerson stood there
24:38watching her go
24:39a storm of conflicting
24:41emotions
24:41swirling in his chest.
24:43He kept feeling
24:44like something
24:45precious
24:46was slipping
24:47through his fingers
24:49something he couldn't name
24:50and didn't know
24:52how to hold on to.
24:53The ache in his chest
24:55tightened
24:55leaving him
24:57restless
24:57and uneasy.
24:58The next day
25:00Julieta arrived
25:01early at the
25:02Owens Group
25:02building.
25:04Once you sign
25:05the epipetary
25:06and its formulas
25:07become part of
25:07the Owens Group.
25:08You keep 20%
25:09strake.
25:10The group wants
25:11to expand
25:11into traditional medicine.
25:13We'll be opening
25:13more clinics
25:14and hospitals.
25:15You'll be running
25:16the show
25:16for all of it.
25:18Look it over.
25:19If everything's in order
25:20sign
25:21and we'll get started
25:22on the paperwork.
25:24We need you
25:24on board
25:25within the week.
25:26Julieta read
25:27through the acquisition
25:28contract carefully.
25:29When she was satisfied
25:31she signed her name
25:32and extended her hand
25:34to George.
25:36Looking forward
25:37to working with you.
25:39George made a quick call
25:40and a secretary
25:42appeared to walk
25:42Julieta through
25:43the onboarding paperwork.
25:45The woman
25:46was lightning fast.
25:48From start to finish
25:49it took barely
25:51half an hour
25:52to finalize everything
25:53and confirm
25:54Julieta's position.
25:56As Julieta
25:58stepped out
25:58of the Owens Group
25:59building
26:00her phone buzzed.
26:01A group of friends
26:02had invited her out
26:03for drinks at a bar.
26:06Back when she'd been
26:07obsessed with
26:08playing the perfect wife
26:09she'd turned down
26:10so many girls' nights out
26:12but her friends
26:13never stopped
26:14inviting her.
26:15This time
26:16she said yes.
26:19She'd had a miscarriage
26:21so drinking
26:21was off the table.
26:22But before she could
26:23even explain
26:24a wave of loud
26:26drunken cheers
26:27erupted from
26:28a nearby table.
26:29Julieta glanced over
26:30and her eyes
26:31instantly locked
26:32onto the scene.
26:33Sitting a few tables
26:35away were Emerson
26:35and Lillian
26:36surrounded by a group
26:37of Emerson's friends
26:38whom she recognized.
26:40The crowd was
26:41hooting and hollering
26:42egging them on
26:43as they linked arms
26:44for some kind
26:45of lover's toast.
26:48You two are still
26:49this crazy about
26:50each other
26:50after all these years.
26:51How are you
26:52not back together
26:52already?
26:55Emerson
26:56I want a seat
26:58at the head table
26:58when you propose
27:00I'm totally
27:01catching the bouquet
27:02and when you
27:03get married
27:03I'm definitely
27:04the one
27:05handing you
27:06the ring.
27:06Thank you
27:07for the necklace
27:08Emerson
27:08I absolutely love it.
27:10I heard it used
27:11to be the diamond
27:12from your wedding ring
27:13with Julietta
27:14Good thing you
27:15had a new one made
27:15otherwise I would
27:17have felt terrible
27:17taking it.
27:18I'll keep it safe
27:19like the ring
27:20you gave me
27:21when you proposed.
27:22She slipped the ring
27:22off the necklace chain
27:23and slid it
27:24onto her ring finger.
27:25You kept the engagement
27:27ring all this time
27:28and now you're
27:28giving her the wedding ring?
27:30Don't even pretend
27:31you're not into her.
27:32Come on
27:33ditch the country girl
27:34already
27:34we're all waiting
27:35for the big announcement.
27:36The wedding ring
27:37fits Lillian
27:38Emerson
27:38who were you
27:39really thinking about
27:40when you got married?
27:41Spill it.
27:42Emerson started
27:43to laugh it off
27:44to deflect
27:45but when he looked up
27:47his eyes locked
27:48with Julietta's.
27:49She was watching him
27:50her gaze dripped
27:52with bitter amusement.
27:54Julietta
27:55are you following me?
27:57She snorted.
28:00Coincidence
28:00if I'd known you guys
28:02were having such a blast
28:03I wouldn't have
28:04crashed the party.
28:05The vibe died
28:06instantly.
28:07A few of the loudmouths
28:08suddenly found the floor
28:09extremely interesting.
28:14Emerson hurried over
28:15and blocked
28:16Julietta's path.
28:18His lips pressed
28:19into a thin line.
28:20Everyone's having
28:21a good time.
28:22Why do you
28:22or you always
28:23have to kill the vibe?
28:24And what are you
28:25even doing here?
28:26Following me around
28:27is a bad look.
28:28He grabbed her arm
28:29and tried to pull her
28:30back toward the group.
28:31I have my own life.
28:32You don't need to keep
28:33showing up like this.
28:34Julietta didn't even
28:35want to argue.
28:36She turned to leave.
28:38Before she could get far
28:40Lillian slipped an arm
28:42through hers
28:42her expression
28:43full of concern.
28:45Julietta,
28:45are you okay?
28:47I was starting to think
28:48you'd been kidnapped.
28:49I almost told Emerson
28:51to call the police.
28:52Julietta looked up
28:53at her
28:53confused.
28:54Without another word
28:55Lillian pulled out
28:57her phone
28:57and handed it to Emerson.
28:59He took it
29:00his eyes locking
29:01onto the screen.
29:02The longer he stared
29:03the darker
29:04his expression grew.
29:05Without a word
29:06he grabbed Julietta
29:08pulled her out
29:09of the bar
29:10guided her into
29:11the car
29:11and locked the doors.
29:13Only then did he speak
29:14through clenched teeth.
29:16Julietta,
29:17what the hell
29:17have you been up to?
29:18Emerson demanded,
29:19Why does Lillian
29:20have photos of you
29:21with George Owens?
29:22What exactly
29:23is going on?
29:25His voice was sharp,
29:27accusatory.
29:28He tossed the phone
29:29into her lap,
29:30his eyes cold
29:31with anger.
29:33Julietta stared
29:33at the blurry images.
29:34They were from her
29:36meeting with George
29:37earlier that day.
29:38Someone had clearly
29:39followed her
29:40and taken photos
29:41without her knowing.
29:42I thought you were
29:43being threatened
29:43but it turns out
29:45you went to him willingly.
29:48Julietta,
29:48you'd better have
29:49have a good explanation
29:50for Emerson,
29:51Lillian said,
29:52her tone dripping
29:53with false concern,
29:55clearly savoring
29:56the tension.
29:58You know Owen's group
29:59is Emerson's
30:00biggest rival
30:01and you still
30:02met with him?
30:03No wonder people
30:04are starting to talk
30:05unless you two
30:07are working
30:07on some kind of deal?
30:09Lillian teased,
30:10raising an eyebrow.
30:11Emerson's jaw
30:12tightened at the implication.
30:14What kind of deal
30:15could there possibly be?
30:16You're reading
30:17too much of it.
30:18Julietta replied flatly,
30:20not even glancing back.
30:22She stared out the window,
30:23her voice bored
30:25and distant.
30:25Her lack of explanation
30:27only made Emerson's
30:28expression harden further.
30:30He opened his mouth
30:32to say more
30:32but Julietta
30:34had already closed
30:35her eyes,
30:36leaning her head
30:37against the window,
30:38pretending to sleep.
30:40Seeing the exhaustion
30:42etched into her face,
30:44he held back.
30:45Letting out
30:46a frustrated breath,
30:47he focused on the road.
30:49Two hours later,
30:51they finally arrived home.
30:54Julietta got out
30:55and walked straight
30:56to the bedroom
30:56without a word.
30:58Frustrated by her silence,
31:00Emerson reached for her hand
31:01as the living room lights
31:03went out.
31:04A second later,
31:05the ceiling fixture
31:06came crashing down.
31:09Julietta screamed
31:11as the lamp
31:12struck her forehead.
31:14Blood streamed
31:15down her face.
31:17Julietta!
31:18Are you okay?
31:20I'm taking you
31:20to the hospital now.
31:21Emerson's face tightened
31:22with alarm
31:23as he rushed
31:23to her side.
31:24Her gaze was unfocused
31:26and the sight
31:27sent a jolt
31:28of fear
31:28through him.
31:29His hands trembled
31:30as he gently
31:31lifted her.
31:32But then,
31:33a sharp crack
31:34followed by
31:35a piercing scream.
31:38Lillian crumpled
31:39to the floor,
31:40clutching her foot.
31:41Tears welled
31:42in her wide eyes,
31:43her face
31:44twisted in pain.
31:45Emerson,
31:46don't let her
31:47fool you!
31:48Lillian cried,
31:49her voice breaking.
31:50Yesterday,
31:51I heard her
31:52telling the maid
31:52something about
31:53the lamp.
31:54She planned
31:55all of this.
31:57She loosened
31:58it herself
31:58so you'd feel
31:59sorry for her.
32:00Look,
32:01it's obvious
32:02someone tampered
32:03with it.
32:04She's not just
32:05hurting herself,
32:06she got me too.
32:08My leg hurts
32:09so much.
32:10Please help me.
32:11Lillian sobbed,
32:12her voice trembling
32:13with pain.
32:14Tears streamed
32:15down Lillian's face.
32:17As she shifted,
32:18her leg came
32:19into view,
32:20already bruised
32:21from another
32:22falling fixture.
32:23The room fell silent,
32:25broken only
32:26by her quiet weeping,
32:27his expression
32:28shifting from concern
32:30to cold fury.
32:32Juliata,
32:32will you ever stop?
32:35You'll manipulate
32:35anyone,
32:36even yourself!
32:38How many times
32:40has this happened now?
32:42Do you only feel
32:43satisfied when Lillian's
32:45caught in the crossfire?
32:46His voice was sharp,
32:48cutting through
32:48the quiet.
32:49His gaze sliced
32:50into her like a blade.
32:53Julieta's vision blurred,
32:54her mind hazy with pain,
32:56but she managed
32:57to whisper,
32:59I didn't.
33:00He cut her off.
33:01Still making excuses.
33:04Framing people,
33:05faking injuries.
33:06This isn't the first time
33:08and when we both know it.
33:13Emerson swept a cold glance
33:15at the wound
33:15on Lillian's forehead.
33:17I shouldn't have wasted
33:19my sympathy on you.
33:20Since you planned all this,
33:21I bet your injury
33:23isn't even serious.
33:24Emerson let out
33:24a cold laugh.
33:26Take your time
33:26walking to the hospital.
33:27He said dismissively,
33:29then turned without hesitation
33:30and scooped Lillian
33:31into his arms,
33:32murmuring softly to her
33:33as he carefully
33:34carried her out.
33:35Julieta helplessly
33:36watched Emerson walk away.
33:38she tried to cry out
33:39for help,
33:40but not a single word
33:41escaped her lips.
33:42She staggered forward
33:43a few steps,
33:43then everything went black.
33:45She collapsed
33:46completely unconscious.
33:49When Julieta came to,
33:51she found herself
33:52in a hospital room.
33:54The sharp pain
33:55in her forehead
33:55reminded her
33:56of what had happened
33:57the day before.
33:58Thinking about
33:59Emerson's attitude,
34:00she couldn't help
34:01but curl her lips
34:02into an amused,
34:03Emerson bought Lillian's story
34:05without a single
34:06piece of evidence.
34:08His favoritism
34:09for Lillian ran deep.
34:10He was utterly foolish.
34:12The lamp
34:13had hit at an angle,
34:15missing any vital spots,
34:16but the gash
34:17it left
34:18was no joke.
34:19Julieta needed
34:2018 stitches
34:21which meant
34:22she'd be stuck
34:22in the hospital
34:23for a while.
34:24It wasn't until
34:25Julieta had been
34:26in the hospital
34:26for five days
34:27that Emerson
34:28finally remembered her
34:29and showed up.
34:30Late as ever.
34:32Half asleep,
34:33Julieta vaguely
34:34heard Emerson's voice.
34:35Doctor,
34:36I saw her yesterday.
34:38There was just
34:39a bit of blood
34:39on her forehead.
34:42It's probably
34:42nothing serious, right?
34:44As soon as Emerson
34:45spoke,
34:45the doctor's temper
34:46snapped.
34:47What do you mean
34:48nothing serious?
34:49When she was brought
34:50in yesterday,
34:50there was a massive
34:51gash on her forehead
34:52and she was barely
34:53conscious.
34:54If the lamp
34:54had hit her
34:55a little differently,
34:56you'd be here today
34:56to claim her corpse.
34:58What's with you people
34:59these days?
35:00So irresponsible.
35:02Though the doctor
35:02was clearly annoyed,
35:03he had a ton of work
35:04to do,
35:05so he cut his ranch
35:06short,
35:07gave a few quick
35:08instructions
35:09and hurried out.
35:11As soon as the doctor
35:12left,
35:13Julieta heard footsteps
35:14approaching,
35:15each one heavier
35:16than the last.
35:17Emerson's intense gaze
35:18raked over her.
35:20Julieta had no interest
35:21in talking to him,
35:23so she simply pretended
35:24to still be asleep,
35:26quietly keeping
35:26her eyes shut.
35:27She thought she'd
35:28wait him out
35:29until he got impatient
35:30and left.
35:31But before that
35:32could happen,
35:33the shrill ringing
35:34of her phone
35:35shattered her pretense,
35:37making her open
35:37her eyes.
35:39When Julieta caught
35:40Emerson's conflicted
35:41look,
35:42she froze for a second.
35:43Emerson seemed
35:44about to speak,
35:46but she put a finger
35:47to her lips
35:47to hush him,
35:48then grabbed the phone
35:49beside her.
35:50Her secretary's name
35:52flashed on the screen
35:53and a bad feeling
35:54crept up on her.
35:56She quickly answered,
35:58just as she feared,
35:59Mrs. Summers,
36:00we've got a problem.
36:01Something's happened
36:02at the apothemary.
36:03Julieta's heart
36:04leapt into her throat.
36:05Tell me exactly
36:06what's going on.
36:07There are a bunch
36:07of troublemakers
36:08outside the apothetary,
36:10and they've even
36:10brought a dead body.
36:12They all saying
36:13the person was
36:14poisoned by our medicine.
36:15The secretary
36:16blurted out,
36:16We called the police
36:18and put out
36:18an emergency statement,
36:19waiting for the experts
36:20to come and investigate.
36:22But the crowd
36:23is acting like
36:23they're under
36:24some kind of spell.
36:25No matter what we say,
36:26they won't back down.
36:28They're insisting
36:29on tearing down
36:29the apothetary
36:30and sending us to jail.
36:31Through the speaker,
36:33Julieta could faintly
36:35hear the commotion
36:35on the other end.
36:36Keep them at bay
36:37for now.
36:38I'm coming over
36:39right away.
36:40Tossed aside the covers
36:41and was about to get
36:42out of bed,
36:42but Emerson was faster.
36:44Don't rush.
36:45I'll go with you.
36:46You can't handle this alone.
36:48Come on, I'll drive.
36:50Having caught
36:51every word of her call,
36:52he clearly didn't trust
36:53her to go by herself.
36:56Julieta gave him
36:57a curious look,
36:58not sure why
36:59he was suddenly
36:59so considerate.
37:01But she figured
37:02it'd be easier
37:02with him around,
37:03so she followed his lead.
37:06Turns out,
37:07Julieta really
37:08couldn't trust Emerson.
37:10They were halfway there
37:11when he got a call.
37:12Lillian's voice
37:13came through
37:14and not even
37:1530 seconds later,
37:16Emerson slammed
37:17on the brakes.
37:20I've got something
37:21to deal with.
37:22Get out and take a cab.
37:23He said,
37:24a flicker of panic
37:25in his eyes.
37:26I'll come help
37:27as soon as I'm done.
37:28Just do as I say.
37:30With that,
37:31he shoved her out
37:31of the car
37:32without hesitation,
37:33spun the wheel
37:34and drove off.
37:37Julieta was still
37:37confused
37:38as she stepped
37:39out of the car.
37:40When she finally
37:41snapped out of it,
37:42Emerson's car
37:43was already
37:44disappearing
37:44down the road.
37:45She found out
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